Micellar Water?

Hola Dalimoos,

Before I go on with the post I need to make it clear that this post is my own opinion and I am by no means an expert in the field and I am only writing as I see things...

So I, like practically everyone in the beauty community loves the Micellar water. I bought into the whole hype of the Bioderma and finding its cheaper dupe. 

L'Oreal brought theirs out first and I really liked it. People moaned about wastage but personally if you put the cotton wool on the opening before you turn the bottle there is no wastage - simples!!!

Then Garnier brought theirs out and there was a frenzy for this, I read reviews saying it was better than L'Oreal and it was the closest dupe to Bioderma!  I was a bit like meh...I wasn't too sure they both worked pretty much the same in my opinion.

So this got me thinking, which one has the most ingredients closest to Bioderma and to my surprise both L'Oreal and Garnier have what looks like EXACTLY the same ingredients and the ingredients are pretty different to Bioderma - Bioderma having a higher grade of ingredient obviously!

L'Oreal Micellar Water

Garnier Micellar Water

Bioderma 

Bioderma 

As I see it, these are both the same product.  

This revelation has me thinking about blogging in general and how we conduct our reviews and all that jazz!  (This is by no means a bashing session to anyone - I am looking at myself when I say this) I wonder do any of us actually do proper research before we say a product is the next best thing or a perfect dupe for something?  Should we, when reviewing something, really be using a product a while or even fully research the product before we can give an opinion on it?  *shrug* oh I don't know...

Anyway that aside and getting back to the point of the post.  In my opinion the only thing that makes Garnier a dupe to Bioderma is the shape of the bottle.  Both L'Oreal and Garnier are very good cheaper alternatives for the Bioderma and I would say buy whichever one is on offer at the time as they both work!

Anyway my lovelies...what's your take on what I posted today.  I would really like to hear your thoughts.

Until next time

Ciao for now xxx

I'm here

Well hello there my dalimoo's!

I have to say it has been the most intense couple of months in my life.  As you probably know I put myself forward for redundancy after 15 years.  That is when the interviews started, I had an interview practically every other day and when I left my old job on 3 March 2014 I had interviews every day for nearly two weeks.   It all paid off because on 13 March I was offered a new job and I started on 31 March.

I am really proud of myself.  Putting myself forward for redundancy without having a job to walk into was, I feel this is one of the bravest things I have ever done.  I am someone who likes routine and I always like to feel in control.  I was definitely in control when I decided to put myself forward but I wasn't in control with what was going to happen and whether I would find a job.  I proved to myself that I can do whatever I put my mind too and with hard work and dedication I can find a job and I did!!

It was so tiring - every night I had to research the people interviewing me, who I would be working for (if I was successful) and anything on the Company!  But I am glad I got to experience the interviewing styles of firms some more unprofessional than others but all good experience nonetheless.

My quote for the past couple of months was "what is meant for you will not pass you".  It kept me focused on getting a job.

Anyway the point of this post was not to waffle on but to say that I am back and I will start uploading new posts very soon.

I have still been buying and trying new things out.  I have also been buying more fashion items recently so I may add more fashion into the blog too but who knows...

Anyway my lovelies, I would like to thank you for bearing with me through this big change in my life at the moment.

Until next time.

Ciao for now xx

Laura Mercier Portable Palette

Hola Dalimoos

I decided not to do a "what a got for Christmas post" but you will see most of what I got for Christmas in upcoming posts anyway.  Let's get started with the first one...

One of my pressies this year was the Christmas Limited Edition Laura Mercier Portable Palette for eyes, Cheeks & Lips in Natural Nudes.

(L-R) Buttercream – Matte, Rosewood – Luster

Cocoa Brown – Sateen, (Tightline Cake Eye Liner) -

Chocolate Brown

Matte Bronze, Sweet Mandarin (blush)  and
Lip Glacé in Sweetheart

This is my first ever Laura Mercier make up product and I am not disappointed.  The shadows are pretty pigmented and give a really nice neutral eye look.  I haven't used the tightliner shadow yet as my eyes have been really sore recently and I cannot put anything on my upper or bottom tightline.

The bronzer is matte with no sparkle or shimmer so I have been using it more as a contour than a bronzer.  The blush is a peachy colour with little sparkle going through it.  It gives a nice natural flush of colour nothing too heavy and for an everyday look it does the job really well.  I haven't used the lip gloss as I am not that into lip gloss, but swatching it on my hand it is a muted pink colour, which I think would be pretty sheer when put on the lips.

 Is there anyone
out there that can teach me the
art of selfies? *awkward face*

I like that you have everything for your face in one small palette so it is perfect for travel and it has everything you need to complete your look without having to have so many extras!

Trying this I now want to try other Laura Mercier make up products.  What is your favourite?  What could you recommend to a newbie like myself?

Anyway my lovelies, until next time

Ciao for now xxx

My Acne Woes Part II

Hola Dalimoo's,

Back in May of this year I did a post on my Acne woes and on starting Roaccutane.  It has now been over 6 months and I am on my last week of my course and I think it is now the best time to talk about my experience on Roaccutane especially if you are thinking of going on it yourself.

As mentioned in my first post I have suffered with Acne since my teens.  I had what they call Acne Vulca and it never let up.  Certain contraceptive pills did help but had to come off those because of reoccuring migraines and pregnancies.  To not go over the whole story again, please go back to  my last post to catch up *link*.

For the first month or so I never really saw much of a change, if anything my acne had got a tad worse.  I knew this would happened so preserved with it.  Once I got to my second/third month I started noticing a real change in my skin.  Mostly a lot of negativity: the side effects.  Some people are lucky and have a couple, some are worse and have them all.  I had some I felt were pretty extreme but each person is different.

My side effects...

I became sensitive to the sun.

I started taking Roaccutane in June so I was on it in the height of the summer!  I couldn't sit in the sun not even with a sun block on as I burned.  I did get some funny looks walking around with long sleeves, a big hat with big glasses just so my skin wasn't exposed to the sun!

My whole body started to peel.

Imagine a snake shedding its skin - it was like that.  At one point I could peel a whole layer of skin of my legs.  I got really itchy all over and no amount of cream helped.  But after about a month the peeling eased and so did the itching.

The dryness got worse.

I got a horrible scaly dry scalp and had to use oilatum shampoo for a while.  But once that was under control I stuck with L'Oreal Expertise Ever Riche Nourishing shampoo and conditioner which has done wonders for my hair and haven't really had much dandruff recently.

My lips and eyes got painfully sore.

For just over three months I have not been able to wear lipstick as my lips have been so so dry, chapped and so sore.  Some days it looked like someone had given me a "chelsea smile".  No amount of lip balms or lip creams helped and believe me I have used up so many.  I have never needed to moisturise my mouth so much, in the past I would only on the odd occasion use a balm of some sort.  In the end the surprise product was nipple cream that I got from Mothercare.  It is 100% lanolin and that stuff was my absolute saviour and for the last couple of weeks my lips are practically back to pre-reoaccutane and I have started wearing lipstick again.

My eyes however are a different story.  I suffered from dry eye and light sensitivity for years but my optician has never done anything about it.  But for the past few months I have been suffering with  my eyes so bad that I have to wear sunglasses outside on overcast days!  There are days when i cannot keep my eyes open, my eyes stream continuously and they are so scratchy and sore I cannot relieve them.

It got so bad my optician had a look in my eyes and said my they were severely dry and cornea had been damaged.  So he has given me gel drops for night time and watery drops to use during the day.  This has helped immensely but not enough.  If there was any reason to be happy to stop the tablets it would be for the dry eye!

Mood swings.

I can suffer mood swings (history of depression) but it was more than usual...thank god for an understanding boyfriend!

No Sex Drive.

Sorry TMI I know but this was one I wasn't expecting but apparently is one of the side effects and that is the loss of my sex drive.  Don't get me wrong it hasn't disappeared completely but I could go without it! Anyway leaving that there....

Dry Face

The biggest thing I have noticed is how dry my face has become.  I had extremely oily skin before, especially on my T-Zone and never really wore foundation because of this and constantly having to touch up through the day.  I spent so much money trying to find that wonder product that would stay on my face for more than an hour or two before slipping and sliding or oxidising!

I don't really think that is a downside as I am really happy with my dry face.  Okay the dry patches can be a pain in the but if I exfoliate it isn't too bad.  I now use two serums and a heavy day moisturiser and at the moment happy with the results I have.  The best thing is I don't need to touch up during the day.  Even on a night out my face make up is still intact...absolutely MARVELOUS :oD

Three months onwards...

My Acne started clearing up.

I have had the odd pimple, not acne spots just odd small little pimples that would go after a couple of days!  My back still got breakouts but I haven't had any fresh breakouts in the last month.

Now that I am just over six months in and finishing the course I have to say that I am more than happy with the results and even with how bad the side effects were for me I would not hesitate going on these again if I ever needed to.  There were some low days when my lips and eyes were so sore that I felt I couldn't go on with the course, but seeing how clear my skin had become I couldn't give up and so glad I didn't.

I am now worried about what is going to happen when the tablets have left my system.  Will my acne come back or will I now be acne free forever?!  Only time will tell I suppose.

I have nothing but recommendation for these tablets and would say go for it!  As long as the hospital is aware of your medical history they will watch you closely.  Also tell friends/family that you are on it so they can keep an eye on you - especially as depression is a side effect.  But if like me, acne has brought you down, made your confidence really low then please seriously think about it.  I do not need to wear make up all the time now, I have no more rediness and my acne scarring has almost disappeared.

Below is a before and after picture of me, please be kind as it has taken a lot for me to show you a picture of what I looked like before the Roaccutane.  But I hope this helps make the decision easier for you.

Before:  This was NOT at its worse!

After:  This was taken today make up free

I hope my story helped you.  Have you ever tried Roaccutane?  What do you think of it?

Just remember it can only get better...

Until next time my lovelies


Ciao for now xx

Urban Decay Naked 3

Hola Dalimoo's

I know there is going to be an influx of posts re the coveted newest addition to the Naked family!  But I couldn't help myself I had to share...

The Naked 1 was a gold based shadows, the Naked 2 was a Taupe based shadows and the newest edition is more your rose/pink based shadows.  I personally love the look of the shadows first hand and can't wait to have a play around with them.

I do now have all the palettes in the series and on first view I think I will love Naked 3 just as much as I love Naked 1.  Don't get me wrong I do love Naked 2 but the shadows are cool in tone and I prefer the warmer shades that both Naked 1 and 3 offer.

In the palette you get a double ended shadow brush and you also get samples of their infamous primer potion.  I already own the original and love it so can't wait to try the others in the series.

I have swatched them quickly on the side of arm and my first impresion is the first 4 are not as pigmented as the rest, but we will see when I use them properly what the pay off actually is.

LtoR: Strange; Dust; Burnout; and Limit

LtoR: Buzz; Trick; and Nooner

LtoR: Liar; Factory; Mugshot; Darkside; and Blackheart

I seem to favour the more shimmery shades than the matte ones but my absolute fav seems to be blackheart which is black with a purple/pink shimmer running through it.

Anyway going to go and have a proper play...

Until next time,

Ciao for now xx

Lancôme beauty bag

Hola Dalimoo's

Recently BritishBeautyBlogger did a post on the Lancôme gift set on promotion at Selfridges.  If you spent £30 you could get the gift set for £50 BUT the Selfridge's website waived the £30 minimum spend so you could get the set for the original £50 saving yourself £30.  Obviously I was on that...

In the set you got:

Fulls size Bi Facil 125ml, Galateis Doucuer 50ml, Tonique Douceur 50ml Advanced Genifique 7ml, Hydra Zen Day Cream SPF15 15ml and La vie est Belle fragrance 4ml

Full size exclusive Christmas eye shadow palette, Full size blush Subtil in 02 Rose Sable, Le Crayon Khol in Black, Rouge in Love lipstick (sample), Gloss in Love 4.5ml, Hypnose Drama Mascara and Hypnose Mascara.

I have used everything in this gift set, I am not too keen on their make up remover/toner though but everything else I do love.  When I have used the eyeshadows/blush set I have had quite a few compliments which is always a good thing...right?!

I would definitely recommend you trying to get your hands on this if you can as you are getting yourself a real bargain!  I am so glad I got it and its given me an insight of what other products Lancome have to offer.

This is why I love Christmas...

Anyway my lovelies,

Until next time....Ciao for now xx

Week 3: Favourite Winter Scent

Hola Dalimoos,

Sorry I am late with this week's post, work has been super busy and I have a sick little boy at the moment and I just haven't found the time to sit down and write this post until now!!!!

Anyway without further ado lets get on with what my favourite winter scent is...

When thinking about favourite scents, perfumes didn't actually come to mind.  I cannot wear very heavy scents as I am sensitive to smells so tend to have the same perfumes all year round...A perfume collection?  another blog post possibly?!

Anyway I digress...

However, there are a few scents that make me happy in winter:

My first one is the Cinnamon smell and other winter spices.  You cannot think of winter without thinking of these scents.  I love anything cinnamon, food or scents.  

I especially love burning candles with cinnamon spice scent.  

Home sweet Home by yankee candle is
one of my favourites

Airwick Purple Blackberry Fig scent is
a really nice warm/sweet smell

Recently I went to TK Maxx and bought two new candles both from the Sebnin range: 

1.  Christmas Trees.  This is a really spicy yummy scent.  it definitely has cinnamon and other spices, its a milder version of Home sweet Home and I cannot wait to burn this one. 

2.  Christmas Stocking.  This says it is a holly and berry smell.  it definitely is a outdoorsy smell and is musky with a sweetness to it...Since typing this my daughter smelt it and informed me she thought it smelt like snow...haha

 

Mint Chocolate is also a big favourite.  I went to Winter Wonderland the weekend just gone and had an After Eight crepe...O.M.G...it was so amazing and felt so warming especially as it was freezing.  The mint taste/smell is so comforting...

 

But my all time favourite winter smell has to be the smell of burning wood fire or coal fire, especially when you are outside walking on a crisp cold evening and you can smell the chimney smoke.  I live in London so I don't get to smell that smell often but when I visit family in Ireland or out of London then that is the smell I love the most.

There is nothing more winter than that.

I hope you enjoyed my take on the Favourite Scent week...until next week

Ciao for now xxx



*Note:  The two candles from TKMaxx are photographs I have taken personally.  The other images are images I found on google image and may be subject to copyright.

10 under £10

Hola Dalimoos,

So there is a tag people are doing on Youtube of 10 make up pieces for under £10 each.  As I don't do Youtube I thought I would translate this to a blog post.  I have also decided to stick with the products I have started using day to day.

1. Foundation:

So to start off you need a base.

I am not your full coverage type of person on a day to day basis and rarely wear foundation.  For the purpose of this post I thought I should really look out for a foundation as most people do wear foundation on a daily basis.

So I found the new kid on the block:  L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau de Teint.  It is being advertised as "lighter than water" and your perfect nude.

I have to say I am surprised how much I like this foundation.  It is very light and you do not feel like you are wearing foundation at all.  You apply it like you would perfume, shaking the bottle and putting a small bit on your finger and blending into your face.  It sinks in completely and just evens your skin tone out nicely.  If you like full coverage foundations then this is not the foundation for you.   This has converted me to wearing foundation everyday as it is so light.  I love this stuff.

You can buy this from Boots £9.99.

2. Concealer:

There is only one concealer that I would recommend and this is the one that I have been using for such a long time and repurchase it time and time again and that is the Collection Lasting Perfection.  

This is such a great concealer and is full coverage and lasts ages.

You can buy it from superdrug for £4.19

3. Dark Circles  

I have been using Seventeen Phwoarr in both fair and medium to conceal dark under eyes.  I recently did a review *here* and would highly recommend.

You can get these from Boots £5.49

4. Highlighting

To compliment the concealing with the Phwoarr you could also use a highlight pen like L'Oreal Lumi Magique, this helps brighten the eyes further but you could also use this for your brow bone and cupids bow or any other places you like to highlight.

You can buy this from Boots - £8.49

5. Finishing Powder:

To set your concealer and foundation try Maybelline Fit Me Powder Flawless.  This is a very fine powder and does not apply powdery and gives extra coverage if needed.  I find I do not need to retouch when I am using this.  Great for the price.

You can buy this from Boots - £5.99

6. Blusher:

I didn't know whether to choose a powder or a cream blush as personally I have never really been one for cream blush that was until I tried this one and completely feel in love with it.  This is the Bourjois Blush Exclusif, this blush is a cream to powder blush and sells itself as containing a self-reacting PH reactive pigment which means the blush is individual to each person as it gives a personalised pink colour depending on your PH.  I use my Real Technique stippling brush to apply.  It really is a wonder product.  It gives me the right amount of flush and I find that it changes shade depending on my body temperature throughout the day.  Love it!!

you can buy this from Superdrug: £7.99

7. Bronzer

I felt there could really only be one bronzer for this post and that was the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder.  This has tiny flecks of gold but it is still pretty matte and I use this as contour too.  It is packaged as chocolate bar and smells of chocolate too.

You can buy from boots for £6.99

8. Eyes

Whilst making my list of things I wanted to talk about  I was torn again between powder or cream and this eyeshadow won hands down.  Maybelline 24 hr color tattoos in on and on bronze for me is a great day to day eyeshadow one sweep over your eyes and your done or you can use it as a base for a more deeper night look.  They do not crease on me and last all day.  Definitely worth the price tag!

You can buy from: Boots for £4.99

9. Mascara

When it come to mascaras I like/have so many it was hard to choose.  I decided to go with one I have repurchased on more than one occasion.  This is the MaxFactor eye brightening mascara and the one I use is the blue eye version.  This mascara separates the lashes really nice and adds some length.  It doesn't really add volume but that is ok for day to day!  It is supposed to make your eyes stand out.  I am not sure it does but I do like how my lashes/eyes look when I have this mascara on.

You can buy it from: Superdrug £6.99

10. Lip product

Last but not least is the lips!  I decided to go with a product that is easy to use and there is no faffing around with and you could apply it on the go with no mirror.  This is the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in Lovesick.  These are creamy like a balm with a great colour pay off.

You can buy this from: Superdrug for £7.99  

So this is my 10 under £10.  I hope you like my take on it.

Until next time

Ciao for now xx

Deep cleaning make up brushes

Hola Dalimoo's

So following on from last week #theSOproject I thought I would do a post on how I deep clean my make up brushes.

I only tend to deep clean them once a month, whether this is the correct thing or not I don't care as they are used on my face only so not worried about it too much, plus I have to make time to clean my brushes as they can take anything from 45 minutes to 2 hours and when you are a full time worker and a mum of two finding the time is the problem!! But I do however spot clean practically every day (if that is any constellation!!).  

What I use to wash them with:

There many products on the market designed to wash your brushes but I personally like using baby shampoo it's soft and gently on the bristles.  The one I am using a the moment is simple baby and it does the job for me.

How I wash my brushes:

I like to wet the brush first, put some shampoo in the palm of my hand then swirl the brush in my palm until it produces aids.  TIP:  never get the ferrel wet this causes the glue to disintegrate and comes away from the handle.

Excuse the bubbles on the ferrel this is what happens
when you take a picture one handed!

You will start seeing the make up coming off your hand.  You then rinse and apply some more shampoo if needed.

*disclaimer* excuse the background
not the nicest of shots!

I then use a towel to dry the excess water (by squeezing the towel), I then use the towel to reshape my brushes.

You should never place the brushes upwards to dry this again can cause water to leak into the ferrel.  I dry mine two ways:

First Way:

I use my real technique cases, folding them in half and using the toggle to keep it in place and hold the brushes upside down this way the water is not running in to the glue.

Second Way:

I place them on their side on a clean dry towel.  I normally put them under the radiator to dry off or on a flat surface.

So my lovelies this is how I wash mine and what I use.  

Hope you enjoyed the post and found it helpful.  Until next time...

Ciao for now xx